New wine label for Kooyong/Port Phillip Estate

The Gjergja family has added a new label to its Port Phillip Estate, Kooyong and Quartier collection. 

The family purchased the Bellvale vineyard in Berrys Creek, South Gippsland, in early 2025 and is releasing the 2025 vintage releases.

Approximately 120 kilometres east of the winery on the Mornington Peninsula, this area of South Gippsland has potential for producing some of Australia’s finest pinot noir and chardonnay, the family believes. 

"We are honoured to become the custodians of this remarkable cool-climate site," managing director Marco Gjergja announced after the purchase from John and Athena Ellis. 

The 19-hecatare vineyard is located in the Tarwin River Valley and its north-facing, dry-grown, high-density vineyard lies at 165-195 metres above sea level on deep red loam of volcanic origin.

"Building on the strong foundations laid by John [Ellis] over the last 27 years, we look forward to progressing Bellvale’s legacy, propelling it into the future, and producing compelling pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot gris," the Gjergja family says. 

The Ellis family will retain the 2024 vintage wines with the new 2025 vintage wines released now for an RRP of $32-39. All are made by Tim Perrin

They are distributed by Negociants. The pinot gris is underwhelming. The chardonnay very good. The pinot noir the star. 

See www.portphillipestate.com.au  

New chief winemaker named at Kooyong and Port Phillip Estate

Talented Tim Perrin has been named as the new chief winemaker of Kooyong and Port Phillip Estate on the Mornington Peninsula. 

Perrin, who joins from Oakridge in the Yarra Valley, will take over from long-time winemaker Glen Hayley, who is leaving the role and departing Australia to pursue other interests. 

Prior to this appointment, Perrin worked as senior winemaker under David Bicknell at Oakridge for seven years, making a significant contribution to the success of the winemaking program there. 

Managing director Marco Gjergja said: "This appointment will enable Tim to build on his knowledge and allow him to bring his talents to Kooyong and Port Phillip Estate, evolving our winemaking in line with our family’s vision."

Perrin said he is looking forward "to building on the legacy of an iconic wine business and propelling it forward into the future to continued success". 

"We believe Tim’s focus, expertise and talent will ensure our family wine business upholds and enhances its reputation as one of the country’s finest boutique chardonnay and pinot noir producers." Gjerga said.

"Following the tough conditions that our business, region and industry have faced over the past three years and the extreme challenges associated with Covid-19, it was inevitable that a few of us would make some life-changing decisions. 

"It was with feelings of sadness, gratitude and respect that I received Glen Hayley’s resignation.

"Over his time with us, Glen’s focus, expertise and talent have been instrumental in raising the quality of our wine. He has always approached his role with total commitment, integrity, enthusiasm and passion. We wish Glen all the best with his future endeavours overseas and look forward to raising a glass to celebrate the 13-year association that we have enjoyed."

Good to see a departing winemaker acknowledged so warmly, Hayley did a great job after taking over from the esteemed Sandro Moselle.  

Perrin will commence as chief winemaker at the beginning of 2023. 

He has worked in California, at Golden State Vintners, as well as in Coonawarra, Yenda, near Griffith, and with Jim Chatto at McWilliams Wines from 2012 to 2015.

How canned wine is fast becoming mainstream

 

Wine in a can is becoming increasingly popular with more and more canned wines appearing on the shelves of retailers. 

Fourth Wave Wines has several of its brands available in cans - including Elephant in the Room, Le Chat Noir and Take it to The Grave - while Treasury Wine Estates offers Squealing Pig, and Innocent Bystander has enjoyed success with its moscato in an aluminium format.

Leading brands in the marketplace include Barokes, Crafters Union, and Riot Wines, while Jacob's Creek has also dipped its toe into the water. 

Wine in cans is a relatively new concept but is fast gaining traction - and the latest offering is not a bargain basement cheapie.

Port Phillip Estate on the Mornington Peninsula has just released its 2022 Salasso Rosé in both a 750ml bottle (RRP $27) and 250ml can (RRP $11). 

I tried the wine in a can and could discern no difference between it and the bottled wine - at least for immediate drinking. 

"Experimentation is an essential element of our winemaking philosophy , and in this case we have explored a non-traditional packaging format," says Port Phillip Estate and Kooyong chief winemaker Glen Hayley. 

"We were attracted to the slim 250ml aluminium can for its numerous environmentally friendly attributes, and its convenience."

Three 250ml cans are approximately 40% lighter than a traditional 750ml bottle, and more space efficient, as well as being durable and easily portable.

Port Phillip Estate says aluminium is "the most cost effective material to recycle". 

Hayley points out there was initial resistance among consumers to screwcaps but now over 90% of Australian wine is bottled using that format. 

"We believe it is important to challenge our current thinking and and occasionally challenge the accepted norms of premium wines," Hayley says.

The 250ml cans are available at cellar door and online at www.portphillipestate.com.au